# Oxidative and Nitrosative Stress Biomarkers in Personnel of Radiodiagnostic Laboratory Services Exposed to Ionizing Radiation

## TL;DR

This study found that workers exposed to medical radiation show signs of increased stress in their bodies, suggesting a need for better protection and monitoring.

## Contribution

The study provides empirical evidence linking occupational ionizing radiation exposure to oxidative and nitrosative stress in radiodiagnostic personnel.

## Key findings

- Exposed workers had significantly lower catalase activity and higher superoxide dismutase activity.
- Malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, and 3-nitrotyrosine levels were elevated in the exposed group.
- These biomarker changes indicate increased oxidative and nitrosative stress in radiodiagnostic personnel.

## Abstract

Background: Ionizing radiation (IR) is widely used in medical imaging and interventional procedures. However, chronic occupational exposure may result in oxidative and nitrosative stress, contributing to long-term health risks.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate oxidative and nitrosative stress biomarkers in radiodiagnostic laboratory personnel occupationally exposed to IR compared to non-exposed healthy controls.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, including 100 radiodiagnostic laboratory personnel (exposed group) and 100 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Venous blood samples were analyzed for catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NTx). Standard spectrophotometric and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods were used. Group comparisons were performed using Student’s t-test and chi-square test, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results: The exposed group demonstrated significantly lower CAT activity (18.25 ± 4.07 vs. 22.46 ± 4.34 U/mg Hb, p=0.001), higher SOD activity (210.52 ± 32.38 vs. 180.21 ± 29.71 U/mg Hb, p=0.004), and elevated MDA levels (4.84 ± 1.21 vs. 3.12 ± 0.92 µmol/L, p=0.002). Moreover, NO (35.74 ± 6.81 vs. 26.05 ± 5.67 µmol/L, p=0.003) and 3-NTx (18.41 ± 3.59 vs. 12.89 ± 3.14 ng/mL, p=0.001) levels were significantly higher in the exposed group compared to controls.

Conclusion: Occupational exposure to ionizing radiation is associated with increased oxidative and nitrosative stress, reflected by altered biomarker profiles in radiodiagnostic laboratory personnel. These findings highlight the importance of strict radiation protection measures and suggest a potential role for biomarker monitoring and antioxidant interventions to safeguard worker health.